Gardenia’s Heart

Kneeling in the corridor before the small cell, Zaylin slowly lifted her head, her pink eyes widening as her gaze landed on the girl's neck.

"Did the guards hurt you in any way?" Her worried voice carried an expression of distress. Quickly, Zaylin moved closer to the bars, trying to get a better look at the girl, but the dim lighting forced her to narrow her eyes.

Realizing what the elf was referring to, Lily hastily pulled her cloak from the bed and draped it over her shoulders, covering her neck as much as she could.

"N-No, this isn’t an injury. Don’t worry about it." Lily said, her words coming out with difficulty, as if she had to carefully form each syllable.

Though she wanted to ask more about why the human’s face was so red, Zaylin refrained from pressing the issue. Taking a few deep breaths, she brought her knees together, rested her hands on them, and looked at Lily without hesitation.

"First, I’d like to apologize for the way Kelios treated you." Lowering her head and bowing deeply, Zaylin prostrated herself before the girl, catching Lily off guard.

Lily had suspected Zaylin had ulterior motives for being there. She had expected many things from this conversation—but not for the elf to begin in such a manner.

"This might be obvious to you," Zaylin continued, "but while finding our city is impossible without the fairies, the outside of the forest is a different matter. A few centuries ago, elves still dared to explore the world, but many, due to their lack of experience and innocence, ended up deceived and captured by other races."

Lifting her head, Zaylin bit her lip a few times before speaking again.

"Kelios’ parents suffered that same fate. Both were captured while attempting to explore the world and ended up meeting in the prison of a human slave caravan. He grew up listening to stories of how humans mistreated them and of the suffering they endured every day until they were finally freed and brought back to Lampides by the former queen."

"So that’s why elves avoid getting involved with other races?" Lily asked, her contained and emotionless voice betraying clear signs of irritation. "Does the king of Anthus do nothing about this?”

Having been kidnapped and forced into slavery by bandits herself, Lily knew her own kingdom didn’t care about those within the mist. She was aware of the prejudice against demi-humans, but she hadn’t imagined that such indifference extended this far.

"Though an alliance exists between the continents of Anthus and Phaea, that alone doesn’t prevent problems from occurring. Many elves have been kidnapped by humans, and to avoid breaking the treaty with our people, their kings send monetary reparations. Even if we demand the heads of the nobles responsible, the humans only offer up some disposable mercenaries or low-ranking soldiers who carried out the dirty work as scapegoats. Even though our alliance and trade date back to the war, aside from the buying and selling of goods, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that elves see humans as enemies."

Zaylin spoke apprehensively, her pink eyes watching as the girl before her cycled through various conflicting emotions. Realizing that her words might have irritated Lily, she quickly continued.

"Of course, I have no intention of judging an entire race based on individuals! Not all humans are bad, and not all elves are good—I know things aren’t that simple."

When the elf finished speaking, Lily took a few moments to reflect. Adjusting herself on the bed and pulling the blankets tighter around her, she finally responded.

"Even if you say you don’t intend to discriminate between races, I don’t see how simple goodwill would be enough to bring me to your city, let alone lie to your superiors to create a convenient story when we’ve just met. You don’t even trust me, do you?"

Cold sweat ran down the elf's face as she listened to the human's words. Placing both hands over her heart, Zaylin took a deep breath.

"You’re right—I don’t trust you. However, the person to whom I owe so much does, and that alone is enough for me to risk everything." Determination burned in the elf's eyes. "Lady Lily, do you know what the Sage is?"

"The Sage?" Lily tilted her head at the elf’s question.

Lifting a hand to her ear, Zaylin traced her finger along the pointed lobe.

"In appearance alone, humans and elves differ only in the shape of their ears. Yet, from our culture to our lifespan, our habits are completely distinct from one another."

Lowering her hand, Zaylin straightened into a flawless posture, as if paying respect to unseen figures.

"Among all elves, there exist those known as High Elves. They make up the royal family and serve as protectors of our people against the dangers of the world."

"Would that be like demi-humans?" Lily knew that the union of two different races could produce hybrid offspring, so she wondered if this was a similar case.

For a brief moment, Zaylin’s expression twisted, but she quickly shook her head.

"… It’s understandable that you’d think that way due to a lack of knowledge, but any other elf would be deeply offended if you compared High Elves to hybrids. High Elves are a distinct race with dominant genes over all other elves. Even if a High Elf has a child with a regular elf, that child will always be a High Elf."

Realizing she had dwelled too long on that explanation, Zaylin quickly moved to the main point.

"The title of Sage is unique, granted to a single High Elf—a member of Phaea’s royal family. This individual is the wisest among all elves and has the duty of helping us prevent disasters that threaten our lands."

Raising a hand to the back of her neck, Zaylin lifted her soft pink hair and turned around. Even in the dim lighting, the large scar running from the middle of her neck to the base of her ear was impossible to miss.

"When I was little, I snuck out of the house at night without telling anyone. It was just supposed to be some silly game, but I ended up tripping on one of the bridges and falling more than five meters. I blacked out. And since I had landed in a place no one passed through, no one would have found me in time—especially with a wound like that worsening by the second."

Tracing her fingers over the scar she couldn’t see, Zaylin let her hair fall back into place, covering her neck again.

"At the time, the title of Sage belonged to the reigning queen, but she wasn’t the one who found me. Even without holding the title yet, that person rescued me and saved my life."

Hearing those words, spoken with such nostalgia, Lily paused to think. She had heard of people intelligent enough to accomplish great feats, but the way Zaylin spoke of this individual didn’t feel like mere admiration for a scholar’s achievements.

"The moonlight will touch the black, leafless trunk." As Lily reflected, Zaylin spoke the phrase while locking eyes with her. "Those were the words the Sage told me to remember during my patrol a week ago. With those words, I was able to find you."

"Black trunk…" Lily repeated, her eyes widening for a moment.

The ancient, leafless black tree—where she had slept in the forest. But this didn’t make sense. Choosing that tree had been a decision she made only after fighting the spider monster. If what Zaylin was saying was true, this person had not only foreseen her entering the forest but also predicted she would choose that specific tree to rest under.

"That’s impossible," Lily murmured, her eyes narrowing.

If such an instruction had been given to Zaylin a week ago, Lily wouldn’t even be on the continent of Phaea. At that time, she was still in Caligo, in the mist of the Anthus continent. She couldn’t fathom how someone could not only know of her existence but also predict her actions before they even happened.

"I know it sounds absurd to believe. That’s why I only ask you to listen to me."

Lowering her head once more, Zaylin spoke in an agitated tone, clenching her hands tightly.

"Even as a member of the royal family, unlike the previous Sage, the current one has failed to accomplish great feats or earn the people’s trust after obtaining the title. Unable to foresee small incidents or the frequent tragedies within our city—not to mention monster attacks outside—there is almost no expectation of their abilities, and few heed their words."

"You’ve said a lot, but you still haven’t explained why you helped me. What does the Sage want with me?"

Leaning forward, Lily rested her arms on the bundle beneath her legs, her uncovered blue eye staring at the elven girl.

Cornered, Zaylin met the cold gaze fixed upon her. She knew she was asking too much of the girl, and at that moment, she had nothing but her words. Yet, she couldn’t afford to give up.

"The Sage saved my life, and the time has finally come for me to return the favor."

Glancing at the cell door as if worried about being overheard, Zaylin stepped closer to the bars and lowered her voice.

"In less than a week, the Sage is going to die."

Her words were barely a whisper, yet they carried the weight of the despair she felt.

"Wait, what does that have to do with me?"

Caught off guard by the sudden revelation, Lily fought the urge to raise her voice, covering her mouth with her hand to keep it as low as possible.

"I don’t have the right to reveal the Sage’s condition. That’s something the sage itself must explain to you. All I ask is… please, meet with the Sage! I beg you!"

Zaylin’s voice rose in intensity once more, her fists clenched so tightly that deep marks formed in her palms.

"I may not have concrete proof to offer, but I’m certain the Sage can help you with your expedition into the Labyrinth."

The elf spoke with desperation, panic, and anguish etched into her face.

Lily had seen many people willing to do anything to protect someone. Even though much of the information was being withheld, she knew that at least when it came to the danger surrounding the Sage, Zaylin wasn’t lying.

"Let me think about it for a while."

However, the elf’s concern was solely for the Sage. Because of that, Lily couldn’t give an immediate answer—not without knowing how dangerous it might be for them. She couldn’t imagine how someone who didn’t even have the support of their own people could possibly aid her in her mission.

Zaylin studied the silver-haired girl’s face once more. Her cold gaze hadn’t changed, but at least she hadn’t outright refused. That meant there was still hope.

"Maple, please, release her."

Turning to the pinkish orb floating beside her, Zaylin whispered in a gentle tone.

At her contractor’s command, the fairy shone even brighter, illuminating the small cell. In just a second, the formless mass of light transformed into a small, floating wooden key that drifted toward Lily.

Still unsure of what was happening, Lily simply watched as the small, pink-hued key slipped into the lock of the false shackle Nia had created and unlocked it.

"Fairies with a contractor can take the form of an artifact that aligns with their nature. Maple loves freedom, so she can become a key capable of unlocking any restraint." Zaylin explained while watching the fairy cheerfully release the girl

As soon as the shackle fell onto the bed, the fairy resumed her glowing, spherical form and floated back to Zaylin’s side.

"I can’t do anything else for you right now, but I know you’re strong enough to escape on your own. If you consider what I said, please meet me tonight. When you step outside the building, Maple will find you and guide you."

Standing up and nodding in gratitude to the fairy, Zaylin swiftly moved toward the door.

"I need to go now. The guards didn’t give me permission to be here. I managed to buy some time by tricking them into thinking they’d been summoned to another barracks."

Bowing her head one last time, Zaylin quickly left the cell.

The moment the girl left and the door closed once more, Lily released a heavy sigh of relief. "For some reason, problems I know almost nothing about keep falling into my lap."

Her heterochromatic eyes focused on the gelatinous shackles. Even though they were fake and didn’t need to be removed, Zaylin didn’t know that—so to any observer, she’d undeniably freed a prisoner.

Lifting the blanket from her legs and hiking her dress up to her stomach, Lily was met with the sight of her purple-haired wife, naked and utterly glazed in cum. The fox ears and tail had vanished to avoid drawing attention under the covers.

"And why is it that every time I have an important conversation, you sneak off to pull these little stunts?" A mischievous, proud grin spread across Nia’s face as Lily pinched her cheeks.

"Hehe~" Nia laughed, unrepentant. "It’s my wifely duty to give Lily all the love she deserves—every single moment. Besides… Lily enjoyed it, didn’t she?"

Her teary, pouting eyes were warm enough to melt any heart, and the way she provocatively licked lingering streaks of cum and love juice from her lips left no doubt: she had zero regrets. Such cuteness could paralyze anyone—but it was useless against her wife.

Pinning Nia to the bed, Lily immobilized her between her arms and tangled their legs together. Hidden under the dress, Nia hadn’t stopped fervently lapping at Lily’s clit for even a second. Her vibrating tongue—enhanced by absorbed abilities—teased every inch of her wife’s vagina, while her fingers and tentacles had relentlessly stroked Lily’s thick penis until the sheets were sticky.

"Nyaaaaaah!"

The loud moan escaped Nia’s lips just as Lily bit her neck from behind, two fingers shoved into her mouth to muffle any noise.

"Seems my naughty girl needs a lesson." Lily licked and sucked the metamorph’s throat, her free hand sliding down to Nia’s groin. "Make it."

Her tone made it clear: this wasn’t a request, but an order. In an instant, Nia’s thirty-centimeter cock formed, and Lily’s hand began stroking it—base to tip, no lubrication needed, her fingers teasing with cruel precision.

"Ah… Nhmm… Lily!?" Nia’s mind spun, overwhelmed.

"Three times by the cock, seven by the pussy." Lily’s lips brushed her wife’s ear. "That’s how many orgasms I had to hide while talking to Zaylin."

"Nhmm… Ah… Aaah—!" Nia fought not to scream, her hips bucking as Lily’s fingers in her mouth became an intoxicating distraction.

Lily bit her neck again, her hot tongue tracing Nia’s nape. "Let’s run a little test." Her whisper was singsong. "Even while being a shameless naughty girl, you still heard what the elf said, right?"

"Y-Yes… I heard…"

"Good. Now answer me." Her grip tightened. "My wicked girl wants to cum, doesn’t she? But where do you want to finish?"

Even from this angle, Lily could see Nia’s cheeks burn crimson.

"Ah… Aaah… I-Inside Lily…! Please, inside Lily—"

"You’ll need to be more specific. Where exactly do you want to cum?"

"Mhhn…! Inside Lily’s womb! I want—I want to put a baby in Lily!"

Without a shred of shame, Nia surrendered completely to her wife’s hands, her back arching against Lily’s ample breasts as she sought more pleasure.

"Good girl… But if you want your wife to fulfill your wish, you’ll have to help her decide what to do~" Lily hummed.

"Decide?"

When Nia tilted her head in confusion, Lily’s chest warmed at how adorable she looked.

"Should we help the sage or not? That’s your test. Help your wife choose—and if you answer well, you can spill every drop of your cum inside the pussy you love so much."

Whispering into Nia’s ear, Lily felt her entire body shiver.

"I-I think we should help." Blinking rapidly to cling to rationality, Nia fought against the sweet torment of Lily stroking her cock as she forced her mind to focus.

"Oh? Why?" Lily’s eyes widened slightly, surprised.

"N-None of the elves who captured us seem willing to talk about the labyrinth. Instead of waiting here, it’s safer to take action and hunt the information ourselves. If trouble comes, we can escape with portals."

Nia barely finished speaking, her breath already ragged.

"Perfect~" Lily purred, pleased.

In one swift motion, she spun Nia around to face her, guiding the thick length to her entrance—then, without hesitation, Nia pushed inside. The searing heat of her wife’s walls nearly drove her mad.

"Lily! Lily! Lily!"

Freed now, Nia’s arms locked around Lily in a crushing embrace, her cock plunging deep into her womb with each frantic thrust.

"Yes, Nia! Fill me up—all of it!"

After all this, it couldn’t last another second. With one final snap of her hips, Nia buried herself to the hilt—and with a guttural cry, her cum erupted in thick pulses.

"Nnh… Aah…!"

The moment the girl's seed began filling her womb, Lily felt her own body reach its limit as orgasm overtook her mind.

Though the situation prevented them from crying out, their joined bodies and rapidly entwined tongues conveyed every ounce of pleasure they shared.

Both minds drowned in ecstasy, their bodies tingling from the powerful climax that nearly drove them to delirium.

"Just once today… and already I’m overflowing…" Lily murmured, dazed, watching rivulets of sperm escape even as Nia’s cock remained lodged inside.

Nia gripped Lily’s breasts, nestling between them with a grin.

“I’ll make sure to cum inside Lily’s womb over and over—until it’s always filled with my seed!"

Even Lily blinked at the bold declaration. The purple-haired girl's face made it clear that she meant every word she said.

"If you say things like that so seriously, you really will sound like a naughty girl, you know?"

"Hehe~ I am a naughy, bad girl… and yet Lily still loves me, right?"

"More than anything in this world. I love you, I love you, I love you!"

Smothering Nia’s face in kisses, Lily pulled her down into the sheets, arms coiled possessively around her.

"If we’re following your plan, we only need to act at nightfall. Even if you need rest to recover… we still have hours until then, don’t we?"

As their embrace tightened even further, mischievous grins bloomed across both their faces.